Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Silverado 1500 Headlight Assembly

Quick Overview

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlight-also called a headlamp, front light, or driving lamp-lights the way for every trim of this full-size pickup. Low-beam bulbs are usually H11 while high beams are 9005, and late-model trucks (2019-up) swap halogen for bright factory LEDs. Each lamp uses a clear polycarbonate lens that meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108) and similar Canadian rules, so drivers stay legal on any paved road. Keeping your lights clear, aimed, and dry boosts night-time vision, cuts glare for others, and helps the truck pass safety inspections and future resale tests.

Fit & Years

• 2007-2018 trucks use twin-halogen reflector assemblies that accept H11 (low) and 9005 (high) bulbs.
• 2019-2025 models ship with LED reflector or projector units, and some trims add adaptive cornering.
• Hybrid, Trail Boss, and ZR2 packages share the same headlight shell but may add black bezels or DRL light-pipes-style, not fit, changes. (manufacturer spec sheet)

Bulb & Light Types

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Materials & Construction

Lenses are molded polycarbonate for impact strength and weight savings, but the clear UV coating slowly wears, letting the plastic yellow or haze.
Housings are ABS or polypropylene; rear seals and breather vents let trapped heat escape yet still block rain.

Laws & Safety

• United States: FMVSS 108 spells out brightness, beam pattern, and DOT marks that every Silverado lamp must carry. Read the rule text here.
• Canada: Since Sept 2021 new vehicles must auto-activate head-, tail-, and side-marker lights at dusk.
• IIHS tests rate 2024 Silverado crew-cab LED headlights "Acceptable," showing safe cut-off limits for oncoming traffic.

Install Steps

1. Pop the hood and remove the top radiator cover.
2. Unbolt the headlight (two upper 10 mm screws, one side pin).
3. Pull the assembly forward; twist out bulbs or unplug the LED harness.
4. Reverse to reinstall; torque screws to 74 ft-lb head-to-bracket spec.

Aim Your Lights

Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall, level ground, headlights at low beam. Vertical center of each hot-spot should land at or just below bulb height line. Horizontal aim stays centered on the truck's emblem. A simple #15 Torx adjuster turns the reflector up or down; see a short video guide.

Common Problems

• Condensation: Light fog is normal and dries as the lamp warms, but standing water points to a loose seal-GM bulletin 01-08-42-001P shows how to pressure-test and re-seal.
• Low-beam out: Check the 15 A "HDLP-LOW" fuse and pigtail; burnt connectors were the root cause of an older service bulletin.
• Yellow lens: UV damage can cut light by 20 % after only three years; sanding, polishing, and re-clear-coating restore output.

Upgrade Ideas

• LED bulb kits with built-in cooling fit most 2007-18 housings but must stay under 3000 lm per bulb to stay road-legal in many states.
• Adaptive LED modules (factory on High Country & ZR2) swap in as a complete assembly but need a BCM flash to work on lower trims.
• Add-on harnesses with load resistors cure "bulb-out" warnings when converting to LEDs. (forum solutions)

Care & Cleaning

Washing with car-shampoo keeps dirt from baking on. For haze, many drivers rub toothpaste or baking-soda paste, then seal with wax-but a dedicated UV-hard-coat lasts far longer.

Eco & Disposal

Old halogen bulbs go in household trash once cool; LED modules contain small circuit boards and should head to an e-waste drop-off. Polycarbonate housings are #7 plastic and may be accepted at local recycling centers-check first. (AAA lens report)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb size does my 2015 Silverado 1500 use?
A: H11 for the low beam and 9005 for the high beam.

Q: How do I know if my 2021 truck has LED headlights?
A: If your low beam clicks in rather than twists out, you have a sealed LED module-no bulb socket.

Q: Are LED swap kits legal?
A: They're legal only if they keep the beam pattern inside FMVSS 108 limits; check local rules before installing.

Q: How bright are factory LEDs?
A: About 1 500-1 700 lumens per side on low beam, similar to a 55 W halogen but with whiter color.

Q: Why is there fog inside my headlight after rain?
A: A small amount is normal; it clears as the housing warms. Persistent water means a bad seal or cracked vent.

Q: How do I fix condensation?
A: Remove the lamp, dry with compressed air, reseal the gasket, and add new vent caps if missing.

Q: Is there a recall on Silverado headlights?
A: Use the free NHTSA VIN-lookup to see any open campaigns for your exact truck.

Q: Do I need to disconnect the battery to change bulbs?
A: It's not required, but pulling the negative cable adds safety and prevents short circuits. (owner's manual)

Q: What tools adjust the beam?
A: A #15 Torx or 7 mm socket turns the vertical adjust screw on each headlamp.

Q: How high should low beams hit the wall?
A: The cut-off should fall no higher than the bulb height line at 25 ft distance.

Q: Can I add daytime running lights?
A: DRLs are built into 2016-up lights; earlier trucks can wire a relay kit to the low-beam circuit. (forum guide)

Q: Will LED bulbs damage the housing?
A: High-output bulbs that run hot can warp plastic; follow GM's warning and stay within rated wattage.

Q: How long do polycarbonate lenses last?
A: UV tests show clear coats protect for about three years before yellowing starts.

Q: What's the headlight fuse called?
A: "HDLP-LOW" for low beam and "HDLP-HI" for high in the engine-bay fuse block.

Q: Where can I recycle my old LED module?
A: Many county e-waste sites accept small electronics, including automotive LEDs; check local listings. (environment guide)